Mackenzie Mgbako flashed potential in year one. Coming back as a sophomore, it’s about elevating his game — What he needs to do to ‘put it together’

Mackenzie Mgbako followed in the footsteps of Jalen Hood-Schifino for Indiana basketball — becoming the second-straight Big Ten Freshman of the Year for the Hoosiers. What he did differently, however, was decide to return to Indiana for his sophomore season.

The 6-foot-8 wing averaged 12.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and shot 32.7 percent from three this year. His 50 made 3s were 24 more than any other Hoosier.

Mgbako also led all Big Ten freshmen in total points (377), points per game (12.2), 20-point games (3) and made free throws (82).

Returning for a second season was not always the expectation. The former top-10 prospect entered his freshman year projecting as a potential one-and-done player. But, after an extremely slow start to his freshman season, the NBA became an afterthought.

Then, Mgbako turned into one of the most consistent players in the league and especially for Indiana. He averaged 13.5 points and shot 35 percent from three with 1.8 made 3s per game over the last 28 games of the season. His first five yielded averages of just 5.0 points on 7.7 percent from three (1-of-13).

After four single-digit scoring outputs in the first five games, he had just four over the remaining 28.

“The game was a little fast for him to start the year,” an NBA scout told HoosierIllustrated.com. “You could see the game starting to slow down for him, especially on the defensive end of the floor.”

“He’s a young player, man,” Indiana basketball head coach Mike Woodson said back in November. “All you guys expect him to be a great player right now because he’s got that five star tag on him. I think that’s bullshit. The bottom line is, he’s still young and he’s trying to learn the college game.”

The issue was never the talent with Mgbako. It was the consistency and the ability to ‘focus on the details’ that was needed.

“He needs to continue to understand how the game is played,” Calbert Cheaney said back in November. “The college game is totally different from high school. He just needs to pay attention to the details of what coach (Mike Woodson) wants him to do. He’ll be fine.”

It was evident to everyone that once it clicked — it would click in a major way.

“He’s got to continue to develop physically as an athlete and with his fluidity and ability to handle the ball,” said an NBA scout. “Obviously he has to make shots a better rate than he showed this year. I thought he learned how to play harder on both ends of the floor (as the season went on) … He’s got good size, a nice stroke. He just has to put it together more.”

While reaching the NBA is on the mind of Mgbako, instead of testing the draft and going through the process, he decided early on to return to Bloomington.

Indiana — who has revamped its roster this offseason with much more talent than the year before — will rely on Mgbako in many ways next year. With his size, shooting ability and versatility, he should be in store for a signifiant improvement with his efficiency.

What NBA scouts want to see is, yes his ability to become a more efficient shooter, but also his ability to be a reliable asset on the perimeter on both ends of the floor — where games are won and lost.

“In today’s game, that ‘3’, ‘4’ (position) is interchangeable with a lot of teams. He’s kind of a tweener (right now),” said an NBA scout. “I think he has to improve his athleticism first and foremost and prove he can guard on the perimeter. But he has some really good perimeter offensive skills.”

Mackenzie Mgbako has full trust in this coaching staff, teammates and himself — all three that grew last year. Now, heading into year two with Indiana basketball — it’s about continuing that trust and focus on the process at hand.

“The people I have around me. I have a good sport system that helps me keep my head on my shoulders and keep me on the right path,” Mgbako said. “So keeping my head down, working hard and trusting the process is how it’s helped me.”

SEE ALSO: National analyst believes this Indiana basketball player has ‘All-American potential’ next year

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